Map construction for power systems



April 19, 1932. A. c. REID MAP CONSTRUCTION FOR POWER SYSTEMS FiledApril lO 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet AA C. REID pril 19, 1932.

MAP CONSTRUCTION FOR POWER SYSTEMS Filed April l0. 1950 3 Sheets-SheetApril 19, 1932. A. c REID A 1,854,808

MAP CONSTRUCTION FOR POWER SYSTEMS Filed April 1o, 1930 3 sheetslsheet 5Patented Apr. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALEXANDER C. REID, OFGENOA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO LEICH ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF GENOA',ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS MAP CONSTRUCTION FOBLPOWER SYSTEMSApplication filed April 10,

My invention relates to a board or map construction for the building upof diagrams representing large distribution or control systems such forinstance as electrical power distribution systems.

In systems of this character two features are of prime importance, andthe most important of these is complete interchangeability of parts uponthe face of the map 1n order that the diagram may be altered from timeto time as desired. The other requirement of great importance is thatthesurface upon which the map or diagram is laid out must not be broken upby any supporting structure so as as to interfere with the continuationof the diagram uninterrupted throughout its greatest extent.

My invention contemplates as the principal purpose thereof certainstructural combinations by means of which the two above mentionedrequirements are fulfilled.

Another more specic object of the invention consists in providing a mapstructure of this character for indicating power systems in which theunits controlling the signals of the power map such as the relays aremounted on or carried by a map frame.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a map structure ofthis character consisting of a plurality of frames each one of which isan individual unit capable of interlocking with the other frames topermitbuilding a rigid assembly of any desired size. In this connection,it is also contemplated to construct each individual frame of aplurality of smaller individual units having the surface vthereof sobuilt up as to completely cover the frames when they are assembledtogether without any breaks in the surface.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide theindividual surface units with cooperating supporting elements andcooperating overlapping portions which effectively prevent transmissionof light horizontally from the back of the map to the front.

My invention also contemplates asa means of supporting the units surfacerigid spaced elements cooperating with the surface units so as tostiifen the map not only in horizontal 1930. Serial No. 448,102.

direction along the surface' ofthe map but also in a direction at rightangles to the map surface to prevent its becoming bent.

I will describe one form which my invention may take by reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein- Fig. 1 is an end view of a map built upof a plurality of sections in accordance with my invention; i

Fig. 2 is a back view of the unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a front View of a map section showing part of the elementsremoved therefrom;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view showing the manner of oining a pair ofadjacent bays together;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail View illustrating the construction of theframes by means of the units;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

gig. 7 is a section on the line 7 -7 of Fig. 5; an

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of a slightly modi fied form of unit which maybe used in the structure;

Fig. 9 is an end view of a. map frame; and

Fig. 10 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in Fig. 1 there is shown an endview of a map board which in the present instance consists of a pair ofsections as 10-1O which sections are substantially duplicates and restone upon the other, the lower end being mounted upon a base 11 which maybe of any suitable frame structure sufficient to support the frames10-10. These frames 10-10 while rigid in themselves are linked bysuitable bolts such as indicated at 12 and 13 to a reenforcing frameindicated generally by numeral 14. This reenforcing frame consists ofupright angle irons such as 15, 16, 17, and 18 joinedtogether bysuitable cross bars such as 19 and 20, and they may also be joined tothe base 11 in any suitable manner. This back frame 14 has on theuprights 15 to 18 a series of jumper rings such as indicated at 21 toreceive the wiring connections for certain units, a group of which areindicated at 22 which units carry indicating signalling deindicatinvices such as lamps for illuminating the map tration at 38 being aportion of a map of a units. power syste/m.

From igs. 1,2, and 4, it will be noted that Coming now to the detailedconstruction of the Aframes 10 and 11 with their associated the framesand the small units which go to back frame may be connected b suitablemake the frames complete, the angle bars 36 straps such as indicated at23 to a similar bay are secured to the top and bottom membersconstructed in the same manner as the one 30 and V32. by means of screws39 and 4() which ust described, s o that any number of these extendthrough the portion of the angle bars ays ma be built up side by side,the showthat lie parallel to the face of the map, the

ing in igs. 1, 2, and 4 being of bays set at ends of the web portions 41and 42 of the an angle to each other in order to maintain angle barsbeing cut away so that the web substantially the same spacing from acenportions lie between the frame members 30 tral dispatchers desk infront of which the and 32 as illustrated in Fig. 6.

map stands. Each bay carries suitableec The small units 37 which make upthe surframes such as indicated at 24 in which may face of the map areall of the same surface be mounted any relay or local controlequipareajso that one' is interchangeable with the ment necessary forcontrolling thelamp sigother, and these units are notched out at the nalunits on the bay. Frame 25 is also used sides as indicated in Fig. 5 at43 over the for tell-tale relays for the units upon the bay. holes 44which are screw threaded through the The lower fralnes 26 carry theterminal front of the angle bars 36, the Width of the vblocks 27 as wellas the large jumper rings units 37 being the distance between centers of28 which makes it possible to connect the wiradjacent bars 36. Thus,when a unit is placed ing of each individual bay to the units therein'position upon its corresponding bar 36, on independently of the otherbays and insuitable screws 45 and 46 screw-threaded into dependently ofany auxiliary or additional the openings 44 will clamp the units inposirelay blocks or the like. tion upon the angle bars. This makes itpos- In case the installation is such as to resible to remove theholding screws and take quire more relay equipment than can be caroutany individual unit and replace it whenried by the local frames 24, suchfor example ever it is desired. as an automatic control, an extra relayframe Now in order to connect across the surface 29 (see Fig. 9) isused. This frame is prefof the frame members such as 30, 31, 32, anderably mounted at right angles to the map 33 so as to provide a smoothsurface, the angle frame and is attac-hed thereto at top and botbars 36which lie adjacent to the frame memtom. As shown by Fig. 10, one ofthese bers 31 and 33 are placed as indicated in Fig. 5 frames 29 mayserve two adjacent bays and, so that thel distance between the bar 36 onone owing toits closeness to the map, shorten con- `f rame and 36 on thelaterally' adjacent frame siderably the length of cable from the relaysis equal to the widthof one of the units- 37 to the map. As shown, theupper part of anda suitable. unit 37 which is the same size frame 29carries supports 29 for the stepand shape as'the other units will bridgeacross ping rela s of the automatic control while theframe members 32and 33 and com )letel f below at 29 there is found the support for hidethem from the front of the map making the selecting relays. a smoothcontinuation from one frame to the New the frames 10 are, in thepreferred next lateral frame. In extending vertically form, all alikeand consist of a substantially from one frame to the next frame, the topsquare frame made up of the metal bars such frame piece. 30 and thelower frame piece 32 as 30, 31, 32, and 33. The top bar 3() is proalsoare completely covered by the small units vided with a plurality ofprojections such as 37. This is accomplished by providing aperindicatedat 34, and the lower bar 32 is preftures such as indicated at 47 in thetop -frame erably apertured as indicated at 35 so as to member 30 andproviding a scre\vthre:uled receive the projections of a similar frameaperture 4S in the portion of the angle bar member when it is set uponthe top thereof which laps over this member 30 to receive the thusinterlocking the frames vertically while screw such as the screws 46 toclamp a. unit they are interlocked laterally in bays by 3T which is asstated before of the same size means of the straps 23 and, as will hepointed and shape as the standard units found in the out hereinafter, bymeans of additional units body of the frame. which make the face of thebays adjoining Thus the mapsurlace is built right across each othercomplete. In Fig.3therehasbeen the junction of the frames 10 lwithoutany shown a plurality of upright angle bars 36 breaks appearing in thesurface thereof at all, which bars are secured to the frame members and,where as in Fig. 4 laterally adj acont bays 30 and 32 to form a supportupon which the are joined at an angle, the little connecting individualunits indicated generally at 37 units 37 may be curved slightly so astonmke are mounted, and, upon these units,` there is a smooth concavesurface adjoining the two formed, for example by painting, a diagramstraight surfaces of adjacent bays. Frame such as illustrated at 38 ofthe system which pieces 31 and 33 ol' adjacent sections are also l themap is intended to represent, the illustied together by plates 64 shown.

From the above description, it will be seen that a map Surface of anydesired numberl of frames such as the frame 10 may be builtup to createa map of any size desired, and, when completed, the outer surfaces ofthe ma will be made up of individual units comp etely covering theframework and cach removable or interchangeable with another so as topermit building the diagram across the map in any direction desiredwithout having breaks due to the crossing of joints' between adjacentsections. Thus a line may run uninterrupted throughout the length of themap if desiree In mounting the indicating units, the apertures 50 in theangle bars 36 are used, and a thinner plate 37a which is also of thesame surface area and shape as the units 37 but which carries a suitablelight transmitting indicating symbol 51 is usedl In conjunction withthis, the lamp jaclczaljglsthe mounting frame 53 provided with theoutwardly turned flanges such as 54 and 55 which lie between the unit 37a and the flanges on the angle bars 36 so as to be gripped therebetweenwhen the screws secure the unit 37a in position. The frame members 54and 55 also have the downturned clips 56 and 57 which project throughthe openings 5() so as to effectively position the lamp jacks andprevent their being twisted out of alignment or shifted in either alateral or vertical direction.

This makes it possible to change. the d-iagram for instance to show theinsertion of a control unit by merely removing the common plate unit 37showing a line diagram thereon and replacing it with a plate 37a havingthe proper symbol ther-con and a lamp jack 52 to give the indicationsdesired. These lamp jacks '52 preferably carry a pair of lamps such as58 and 59 and suitable contact elements 60, 61, 62, and 63 forconnecting to wiring leads for control to flash either lamp whenever itis desired, the lamps, of course, being made of different colors usuallyto indicate different conditions of the power units represented by the.symbol placed in front of the lamps.

As an example of the system employing lamps of this character and thecontrol thereof to give different indications, attention is directed tothe application of Thomas U. White, Serial No. 318,046, filed November8, 1928, for dispatching system.

The particular signal unit structure is not claimed in this application,but is claimed l,in my copending application Serial No. 441,692, filedApril 4,- 1930, on indicating unit for power system maps.

In the use of these lamps difficulty has been encountered due to lightpassing through the cracks between adjacent. units 37. The light is, ofcourse, barred by the flanges of the members 36 along the verticalcracks between units, and, in order to prevent the light shining in theoperators eyes throu h the horizontal cracks, the vunits 37 have t eirtop and bottom edges so cut as to prevent the' light assing horizontallbetween them. In igs. 5 and 6 this is iliustrated by the bevelled edgesat 68 and 69, and in Fig. 8 a similar unit 37 Vis shown as beingprovided with the offsets at 70 and 71 soas to overlap similarvertically adjacent units and completely block the passage of lightbetween the units.

While I have described m invention by reference to` a specific form ilustrated, it is obvious that various modifications may be inade fromthe exact detail shown and described without departin from the scope ofthe invention as defined y the claims; and, having thus desired myinvention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. A- display may of the character described made up of a plurality oflike sections each section comprising a supporting frame carrying aplurality of individual surface units of similar surface area to formthe display surface, said units extending over and completely coveringthey supporting frames where the sections meet whereby to provide acontinuous surface throughout the display map, reenfor'cing framesspaced from the sections on the side opposite the display surface andfixed thereto, said frames having means for holding laterally adjacentsections together.

2. A display map of the character described made up of a plurality oflike sections each section comprising a supporting frame carrying aplurality of individual surface units of similar surface area to formthe display surface, said units extending over and completely coveringthe supporting frames where the sections meet whereby to provide acontinuous surface throughout the display map, reenforcing frames spacedfrom the sections on the side opposite the display surface and fixedthereto, said frames having means for holding laterally adjacentsections together, certain of said uniis having signal means associatedtherewith and means mounted on said reenforcing framework for mount-.ingcontrol equipment for the signal means of the sections reenforcedthereby.

3. A display map of the character described niade up of a plurality oflike sections each section comprising a supporting frame carrying aplurality of individual surface units of similar surface area to formthe display surface, said units extending over and completely coveringthe supporting frames where the sections meet whereby to provide acontinuous surface throughout the display map, said sections each havingmeans at opposite sides thereof for attachment to other sections,reenforcing frames spaced from the sections on the side opposite thedisframe carrying a plurality of indivi ual surface units of similarsurface area to form the display surface, said units extending over andcompletely covering` the supporting frames where the sections meetwhereby to provide a continuous surface throughout the display map,reenforcing frames spaced from the sections .on the side opposite thedisplay surface and fixed thereto, said frames having means for holdinglaterally adjacentsections together at an angle to each other, the unitsconnecting the surfaces of laterally adjacent fra-mes being. bent topresent concave surfaces joining the laterally adjacent surfaces.

5. A display map of the character described m'ade up of a plurality oflike sccticns each section com rising a supporting frame carrying aplura ity of individual surface units of similar surface area to formthe display surface, said units extending over and completely coveringthe supporting frames where the'sections meet whereby to provide acontinuous surface throughout the display map, the top and bottom edgesof said units overlapping to prevent light passing therebetween, andmeans at the side edges of -said units blocking the passage of lighttherebetween, said lastl named means forming part of the supportingframe, and said units being secured to said last named means.

6. A display map of the character described composed of a plurality ofsections each of which comprises a sup orting frame carrying a pluralityof individually removable surface units to form the display surface,said units extending over and completely covering the supporting frameswhere the sections meet whereby to provide a continuous replaceablesurface throughout the display map, said surface units and framescooperating to prevent. passage of light between adjacent units throughthe front of the map.

7. In a display map a support-ing frame, a

Q plurality of individually removable surface forming units thereon,certain of said units being provided with signal display means,`

said'signal display means having portions cooperating with thecorresponding surface forming unit for mounting purposes, the combinedthickness of the signal display units and portions being substantiallyequivalent to that of the non-signal carrying units.

8. In a display map a supporting frame, a plurality of individuallyremovable surface forming units thereon, certain of said units beingprovided with signal display means, said signal display means havingportions cointerchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepictin unlike combinations that may be formed-o a basic displayscheme,

,certain of said units representing elemental characters needed toportray said display scheme', and certain of said units representingfillers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship, said,device having a mounting frame provided with means for individuallyreceiving said units'.

1 0. A display map comprising a plurality of supporting frames eachhaving a surface of individual units of similar surface area, said unitextending across junctions between said frames to present asubstantially unbroken surface, a supporting framework and supportingand ad'usti'ng means securing said frames to the ramework and aligningthem with each other.

1'1. A display device of the character described, adapted by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepicting unlike combinations that may be formed of a basic displayscheme, certain of said units representing elemental characters neededt0 portray said display scheme, and certain of said units representingfillers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship, saiddevice having a mounting frame provided with means for individuallyreceiving said units, certain of said character representing unitshaving signaling devices mounted therewith.

12. A display device of the character described, adapted by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepicting unlike combinations that may be formed of a basic displayscheme, certain of said units representing elemental characters neededto portray said display scheme, and certain of said umts representingfillers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship` saiddevice having a mounting frame provided with means for individuallyreceiving said units, certain of said character representing unitshaving signaling devices mounted therewith, and said mounting framehaving a common means for mounting said signaling devices and theirassociated units thereon.

13. A display device of the character described, adapted by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepicting unlike combinations that may be formed of a basic displayscheme, certain of said units representing elemental characters neededto portray said display scheine, and certain of said units representingfillers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship, saiddevice having a mountin frame provided with means for individua yreceiving said units, certain of said character representing unitshaving signalig devices mounted therewith, and said mounting framesupporting control equipment for said signaling devices..

14. A display device of the character described adapted by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepicting unlike combinations that may be formed of a basic displayscheme certain of said units representing elementai characters needed to portray said display scheme, and certain of said units representingfillers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship, saiddevice having a mounting frame provided with means for individuallyreceiving said units, certain of said character representing unitsincluding signaling means capable of producing two distinct indicationsfrom one unit.

15. A display device of the character described, adapted by meansof aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepicting unlike combinations that may be formed of a basic displayscheme, certain of said units representing elemental characters needed'to portray said display scheme, and certain of said units representingfillers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship, saiddevice having a mounting frame provided with means for individuallyreceiving said units, said means including frame members having alignedrows of apertures therein, certain of which apertures arescrew-threaded, and screws ,engaging said units and clampin them to saidmembers.

16. A displa evice of the character described, adapte by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepictin unlike combinations thatmay be formed o a basic display scheme,certain of said units representing elemental characters needed toportray said display scheme, and certain of said units representingfillers, said units bein mounted in contiguous relationship, said evicehaving a mounting frame provided with means for individually receivmgsaid units, said units having aligned recesses in opposite side edgesthereof and securing means mounted in said frame having shank portionsfitting in said recesses and head portions clamping adjacent units'against said frame.

17. A display device of the character described, adapted by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form a continuous surface fordepictin unlike combinations that `may be formed o a basic displayscheme,

certain of said units representing elemental characters needed toportray said display scheme, and certain of said units representing 66llers, said units being mounted in contiguous relationship, said devicehaving a mountframe provided with means for indiv1 u ally receiving saidunits, said means including duplicate series of apertures in said frame,certain of said units having positioning and guiding lugs extending intocertain of said apertures, and unit securing means engaging said unitsand held in other apertures.

18.*A display device of the character described, adapted by means of aplurality of interchangeable units to form' al continuous surface fordepictin that may be formed o a basic display scheme certain o saidunits representing elemental characters needed to portray said displayscheme, and certain of said units representing fillers, said units beingmounted 'in contiguous relationship, said device having a mountin frameprovided with means for individualI said character representing unitshaving symbols therein, and signal means in the rear of said surfacecapable of giving different indications from said symbols.

19. In a display map, a supporting frame, a plurality of individuallyremovable surface forming units thereon, certain of said units beingprovided with signal display means capable of 'ving two distinctindications, sald'signal display means having portions counlikecombinations y receiving said units, certain of operating with thecorresponding surface

